Month: June 2016

Good morning, lovelies! Today’s post is going to be short because I had a busy weekend, and an even busier work week coming up. So, I’ll leave you with this. I started writing Every Breath I Take back in May, and my current word count is 15,778. After taking a fellow follower’s advice (Candace), I decided to break my 85,000 words in 3 months into a smaller goal. So we’ll see how 85,000 words by December 31st works out for me!

Good morning, lovelies. Today’s We Love Books Wednesday is going to be a little different. I’m not highlighting an author or their novels, instead, I’m talking about my novel, Sliding into Love, and the man behind it. My novel is still a work in progress, but it doesn’t stop me from talking about it, or my reason for writing it. Five years ago, my father was diagnosed with Kidney Disease. Five years ago, I got an amazing idea in the form of a story idea to bring awareness to this disease. Kidney failure has ran in my paternal family for years, and I thought Sliding into Love would be an amazing way to show it. I’m not embarrassed that this disease runs in my family. In fact, I’m proud of it because it’s a part of me and my family. Kidney disease has made me aware of my health. Because of this disease, I know the signs and symptoms. I know to keep my sodium intake to a minimal level. I know the importance of drinking lots of water or increasing the protein in my diet. Speaking of increased protein, the man behind my novel, has reached his protein goal. After five long years of his protein going up and down, my father has finally gotten his protein to 4.0, which is a good thing. We’ve waited so long for this moment, so I couldn’t wait to share the news with you guys. Pictured below is the man, the myth, the legend; my father, in his Al Bumin shirt!

As always, please click here to learn about ways to help and donate to the many Americans whose lives have been impacted by kidney disease.

Morning Lovelies! I think this is the first time I’ve ever drawn a blank for one of my posts. So today’s post is going to be extremely short. As you all know, I’ve been participating in my own personal 85k Challenge. This basically means that I’ve challenged myself to write 85,000 words over the span of 3 months. I must admit, although I’ve been writing vigorously I HIGHLY doubt I’ll meet that goal, and that’s okay. As long as I continue writing, that’s all that matters. So today’s lesson: It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to reach your goal, as long as you reach it. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Hey Lovelies! Welcome back to another Freebie Friday. I’ve actually tried writing two posts for you guys, before deciding this would be the post for today. On Wednesday, I pledged to read 5 books outside of my preferred genre, and today I thought I’d share with you the books that I’m possibly considering.

A novel with a male main character: The Boys Club by Angie Martin
A novel with a same sex couple: Honesty by Seth King
Romantic suspense: When Death Calls by Elaine Meece
A fantasy/supernatural novel: Bound by Kira Saito
A nonfiction novel: P.S. Your Not Listening by Eleanor Craig

Also, if I have the time, I might try to squeeze in a 6th book: A novel by an author you wouldn’t generally read a novel by. For this novel, I have Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult in mind. I’m not really a big Jodi Picoult fan. I tend to not read novels by her, or watch films that are based on her novels. This is just a personal preference…I’m not telling people to not read her stuff, but I’m just saying I normally wouldn’t. Besides, I think reading Nineteen Minutes would be a perfect book to read right now with all of the gun violence going on.

As I mentioned before, these novels aren’t set in stone, so if you have any novels that you’d like to recommend, please leave them in the comments’ section. Have a wonderful Friday!

Hey Lovelies! If you’re reading this post, I’m asking that you start (or end) your day by spreading some love. After all, we need all the love we can get right now.

Today’s post is not only inspired by the recent events that took place in Florida, but also by a newsletter I received by the wonderful Jenny Bravo, over at Blots & Plots. Click here to check out her site.

As you all know, a lot of people lost their lives this past weekend. Why? Because we, as Americans, are quick to judge and even faster to react. I agree with the millions of people who say we need better gun control. It’s true. But we also need a better understanding of each other and the lives we’re living.

Lovelies, please take a stand against these things. If you, or someone you love, starts to turn this mass shooting into an anti-Muslim ordeal, tell them about themselves. Not all Muslims are terrorists. Not all Caucasians are racist. And not all African Americans are ghetto. Whether you’re gay, straight, bisexual, black, white, Muslim, Catholic, Atheist, or Baptist, it doesn’t matter. We can be the generation to narrow all these “categories” down to one; humans.

I’m a very picky person. I’m picky about the foods I eat, the books I read, the movies I watch…basically everything. As I said earlier, we’re quick to judge. How many times have you thought, “[insert food here] is disgusting. I’m not eating it.”? Have you ever tried it? Or here’s a better example: “that girl sure wants to be white.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hear that line about myself. Yes, my English is proper and I don’t talk in slangs. Yes, my hair is curly. And yes, I find white men attractive. I find guys of all ethnicity and religions attractive. Does that make me a sell out? No. Does it make me white? No. I’m still a black woman, and even more so, I’m still human. We all are.

The year is halfway done, so let’s start learning about others. Let’s take a walk in their shoes. And you can do this by reading, watching TV, or just by talking to them.

I tend to read New Adult books. It’s my go-to genre. Why? Because I can relate to them the most. But I’m expanding my horizons.

In honor of the lives that were lost, and with all of you as my witness, before 2016 is out I’m going to expand my horizons by reading 5 books outside of my preferred genre. I think my list will look something like this:

A novel with a male main characterA novel with a same sex coupleA romantic suspense novelA fantasy/supernatural novelA nonfiction novel

I also might try a few different dishes that I wouldn’t normally eat. I know this post was all over the place, but I’d love to read in the comments what you’re going to do to expand your horizons.

In honor of the beautiful people whose lives were taken this past weekend, Manuscript Monday will be muted. Please, remember to keep Christina Grimmie’s family, friends, and fans, as well as the people who were killed and injured in the Orlando mass shooting in your prayers.